Shillong, Sept 16: The Meghalaya Education department has rationalized the school curriculum for the academic session 2020-21.
Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui said that the government has to adjust the academic calendar in view of the loss of time for teaching due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Rymbui also said that though regular classes shall remain closed till September 30, students from class 9 to 12, are allowed to visit their schools, in areas outside the containment zone, on a voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers.
In a notification, Principal Secretary (education department), Donald P Wahlang said that regular class activities for schools, colleges, and educational institutions will continue to remain closed up to September 30.
The order was issued in accordance with the direction from the Ministry of Home Affairs which has emphasized on easing restrictions in areas outside containment areas across the country.
“Regular class activities for schools, colleges, and educational institutions will continue to remain closed up to September, 30, 2020,†Principal Secretary Education department, Donald Philips Wahlang notified
Although regular classes shall remain closed, certain restrictions would be lifted from September 21 only for students from class 9 to 12, Wahlang said that these students are permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the containment zone only, on a voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers.
“Schools will be permitted to open for activities, such as teacher-student counseling, clearing doubts, addressing hard spots, sharing unit lesson plans, assignments, submission of works, student assessment,†the notification added.
However, these students would have to get the written consent of their parents or guardians to visit the schools, colleges and educational institutions. Schools should have flexibility in school timings, students visit and uniform code and ensure short duration visit of students.
“Elementary school teachers are to attend schools as per their roster duty chart developed by the school for compulsory transaction of daily or weekly lessons plans or worksheet accordingly via online or through parental distribution at the school campus,†Wahlang said.
“Schools are to develop their individual micro planning relating to flexibility in school timings, the scheduling of students visit and uniform code,†he said, even as the government has advised schools to ensure short duration visit of students.
Furthermore, the notification reads that all schools should prepare a Continuous Learning Plan (CLP) to ensure all students are learning, moreover, continue online or distance learning modes and develop a 50 per cent attendance of teaching and non-teaching staff.
The department has laid strict emphasis on compliance of health protocols, some of which includes maintaining physical distance, wearing masks, washing hands with soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers and sanitizing all teachings materials etc.
“If a student, teacher or employee is sick, they should not come to the school and follow necessary protocols in this regards,†Wahlang said.
Meanwhile, the Education department has rationalized the school curriculum for academic session 2020-21 and brought out the Adjusted Academic Calendar for lower primary, upper primary, secondary and higher secondary levels. Taking into account the reduced instructional days the Adjusted Academic Calendar focuses on core concepts and essential learning outcomes.
The Adjusted Academic Calendar can be downloaded from the education department website (www.megeducation.gov.in) and also at the MBOSE website (www.mbose.in).
This was informed by the Director of School Education & Literacy & Director of Higher & Technical Education, Meghalaya.
